CDR David G. Zook hails from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Majoring in History and International Studies, he graduated from Northwestern University and was commissioned through the NROTC program in 1995.

Commander Zook reported to USS PRINCETON (CG-59) where he held positions as Electrical, Auxiliaries, and Assistant Operations Officer through INSURV, two RIMPAC exercises, and a six month Counter-Narcotics Deployment. In October of 1998 he reported to Amphibious Squadron Three serving as Combat Systems/Assistant Operations/Plans and Schedules Officer and acting as Supporting Arms Coordinator and liaison the Fifteenth Marine Expeditionary Unit, During this tour, CDR Zook was an advance Navy representative to the American Expeditionary Forces involved in stabilizing East Timor during the 2000 BON HOMME RICHARD ARG Persian Gulf deployment. In August 2000, he reported to the University of Michigan NROTC program and taught Intro to Ship Systems, Naval Operations and Navigation while earning a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) and an MS in Resource Management. From 2003-2005, he served as Chief Engineer on USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54) in Yokosuka, Japan. Serving as the Senior Watch Officer and leading Tactical Action Officer, he helped to lead the ship and crew through the first Ballistic Missile Defense Mission. He reported as Commanding Officer Patrol Coastal CREW BRAVO in 2005 and was responsible for turning over USS TEMPEST to the United States Coast Guard, embarked four hulls, completed two training cycles and an Arabian Gulf deployment in support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM, and completed the first Depot Planned Maintenance Availability for a US Naval Vessel in Dubai Drydocks, UAE. PC Crew BRAVO earned the Battle E in 2006. CDR Zook then served as Senior Staff Officer for Schedules and Exercises to the Western Canadian Fleet as apart of the Personnel Exchange Program where he helped to coordinate the first Canadian, US and Japanese exercise and made preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympics. His last assignment was as Flag Secretary to Commander, Military Sealift Command.

During his time in the Navy, Commander Zook has earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Naval Commendation Medal (four awards), the Naval Achievement Medal (three awards) and various unit, campaign, and service awards.

NEWS

SAN DIEGO (March 17, 2011) – Commander W. Scott Switzer was relieved by Commander Andree E. Bergmann as the Commanding Officer of USS Howard (DDG 83) during a ceremony held onboard Howard at Naval Station San Diego on March 17, 2011.

SAN DIEGO – The guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) is scheduled to return to San Diego Oct. 28, after a seven-month independent deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility.

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